Orange Flowers: Meanings, Symbolism, and Folklore

Though the symbolism associated with colors and flowers may change over time, one fact remains: the color orange provokes a reaction. Sometimes sacred, sometimes royal, occasionally cautionary, but always bold — orange always makes a statement. Orange flowers are no different. Read on to learn about the history behind this dynamic color and the meaning and symbolism of orange flowers that you can use to send messages to those you care about.

The Color Orange

Throughout human history, the color orange has been associated with strong emotions of one type or another. The color has a long, rich history; it’s the only color named for itself. It’s one of the only English words that stands alone (no, tangerine isn’t exactly the same). Indeed, the word “orange” comes from and means the popular citrus fruit.

The history of the color orange dates back through millennia and is one of the earliest pigments humans used to create art. Ancient Egyptians used a (very toxic) mineral called realgar to make orange pigment for tomb decoration, as did the ancient Chinese. The ancient Romans used the mineral orpiment to make orange pigment. You can see the golden-yellowish paint in illuminated Medieval manuscripts.

The Color Orange in Historical Europe

In historical Europe, the color was often associated with abundance and fertility. Perhaps this is because many fruits, vegetables, and leaves ripen to an orange hue. Because of this symbolism, paintings of the harvest goddess Pomona often depict her wearing orange robes. And in the U.S., the Thanksgiving holiday, focusing on abundant foods is dominated by orange decor.

But the color didn’t even have a name in Europe until the 1500s, when oranges were brought from the East. The color was named after the fruit in several European languages.

Of course, artists have used the color orange greatly over the centuries. Van Gogh and Toulous-Lautrec were fans, as was Monet, who often used orange to significant effect in his sunsets.

Orange and Spirituality

Orange has different meanings across cultures, however. In many parts of Asia, orange has a spiritual component. Many Buddhist monks wear orange robes, and orange represents divinity, fire, and cleansing purity to Hindus.

Of course, the color is eye-catching and attention-grabbing, which is often associated with caution or safety. In many cultures, orange is the color of choice for safety gear (think traffic cones). In the U.S., it’s also used on prison uniforms, thanks to its ability to stand out.

Orange and The Seasons

We also tend to associate orange with certain seasons. In the U.S., there’s a strong association between autumn and orange. Fall leaves, pumpkins, and orange mums are all familiar symbols of the fall season.

Orange flowers elicit strong feelings and emotions as well. No matter the religion or cultural background, the color is powerful and packs a metaphorical punch. Read on to learn more about orange flowers.

About Orange Flowers

While orange flowers aren’t the most common colors in the floral world — that honor most likely goes to green, brown, white, yellow, and pink flowers. However, there’s no definitive database that contains a listing of each flower in existence.

Orange flowers grow across the continents, both in temperate and tropical zones. A search of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin results in more than 735 plant species that bloom in shades of orange.

But when it comes to commonly grown orange flowers in gardens and used in floral shops, there are about 60 species of orange blossoms that come to the forefront.

The Science Behind Orange Flowers

What, exactly, causes a plant to produce orange flowers? It’s all about the pigments. Plant pigments contain different proportions of three types of chemical compounds: anthocyanins, carotenoids, and betalains. These compounds — and other factors like soil acidity and cell shape — all influence the hues that we see when we look at flowers.

For instance, anthocyanins are type of flavonoid chemicals that produce colors ranging from orange and red to blue. There are over 300 naturally occurring anthocyanins. While they look colorless to humans, they absorb light in a way that makes them visible to insects, helping to attract pollinators.

Carotenoids, a type of terpenoid chemical, are also responsible for orange tones. Known as carotenes, these pigments are responsible for the orange color of carrots, as well as many flowers. The third type of pigment, betalains, is less common, but still found in some flowers.

Orange Flowers in Ancient Egypt and Greece

In ancient times, orange played an important role in many cultures and traditions. To the ancient Egyptians, the color was used to decorate tombs and commemorate the dead. While minerals were used to make pigments for painting, saffflowers were used to tint fabric.

Safflowers (Carthamus tinctorius) bloomed with orange, red, and yellow blossoms that were often used to make colorful dyes. Historical evidence from the 12th century indicates that safflower dye was used to color shrouds for mummification. Safflower garlands were found wrapped around mummies and in pharaohs’ tombs, including the most famous tomb of all: that of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

But the flowers held more significance to these ancient peoples than their usefulness as a dye source. Some shrouds have been found with safflowers embroidered on them as a design. Safflower seeds have been found as temple offerings, and oil from the plants was used as a medicinal treatment for insect bites and stings.

Ancient Greece

To the ancient Greeks, flowers often played an important role in mythology. As far as orange flowers, the crocus — which blooms in shades of orange, yellow, white, and purple — has its own role in legend.

As one of the first flowers to appear in spring, the crocus has long been associated with hope and cheerfulness. In Greek mythology, as written by the physician Galen, Crocus was a companion of Hermes, the god of wealth, luck, fertility, and travel, among other things.

One tragic day, Hermes was playing a game of discus and accidentally killed Crocus. As Hermes mourned the loss of his beloved companion, he turned Crocus into a flower so he would bloom again in the spring. The flowers are thus associated with rebirth, joy, and hope that life will return.

The Victorian Language of Flowers

During the Victorian era, societal customs meant that expressions of specific emotions and feelings were taboo, at least when spoken out loud. These restrictive (some would say repressive) customs meant that it was hard for people, especially members of the upper class, to simply come out and say how they felt.

Orange Flower Meaning in Floriography

Instead, many adopted a secret, coded language: the language of flowers. Known as floriography, the Victorians adopted flower language from the Ottoman Empire. Here, women living in harems would often use gifts of flowers to send rhyming messages to each other in a game known as selam.

The practice spread to Europe in the 18th century and soon became a popular trend. It was especially welcomed by young couples courting, as gifts of flowers known as tussiemussies or nosegays allowed them to send coded messages to one another.

In the Victorian language of flowers, different types of blossoms carry different meanings. Color matters, as well. For example, while a red rose may mean romantic love, an orange love may symbolize pride, friendship, and fascination. And while a white lily might mean “it’s heavenly to be with you,” an orange lily sent a message of hatred. Yet tiger lilies symbolize wealth and pride!

An orange marigold could send a message of jealousy or even grief. But an orange sunflower was associated with adoration, and an orange zinnia meant one was thinking of absent friends.

Floriography is a complex and fascinating language. It allowed people to express nuanced emotions without saying a word out loud.

Orange Flowers and Hanakotoba

The Ottomans and the Victorians weren’t the only cultures with flower languages. In Japan, the tradition of Floriography known as hanakotoba has been around for centuries.

It’s also a complex language, with different flowers and colors associated with nuanced meanings. For instance, some orange flowers in hanakotoba tradition include orange Gerbera daises, which send a message of patience, or can also say “you are my sunshine.”

An orange crocus means youth, gladness, and cheer. An orange chrysanthemum also sends a cheerful message, and can say “you’re a great friend.” As in Victorian floriography, orange lilies also symbolize hatred in hanakotoba.

What do Orange Flowers Mean Spiritually?

Orange flowers have different significance across religions and cultures. For Buddhists, orange flowers are often used to make garlands, which are worn or offered at shrines or placed on household altars. Of course, they’re not meant to last; in the Buddhist tradition, flowers symbolize impermanence. One day they are sweet and fresh, and the next, they’re withered. Orange ts are a commonly used flower in these offerings.

This may stem back to the early availability of saffron flowers to create the orange dye, which was used to color practitioners’ garments. The color is still associated with perfection, the quest for knowledge, and illumination.

Orange Flower Meaning in Hinduism

Orange marigolds also play a role in Hinduism. They symbolize the sun, life, brightness, and positive energy. These cheerful flowers are often used in weddings, to bring luck, and hung in garlands in the home for protection.

In Hindu mythology, other orange flowers have meaning. One such flower is the noon flower, or Pentapetes phoenicea. This orange-red blossom blooms during mid-day, when the sun is high in the sky. Thus, it’s associated with the sun god, who is said to glow like the flower.

But the color orange itself has special significance, which is why orange flowers like marigolds and calendula are so important. The color is associated with renunciation, so offering orange flowers to the gods is a sign of surrendering one’s will to the divine. It’s also associated with overcoming obstacles, as well as to Lord Vishnu and the Goddess Lakshmi. The god Krishna is often depicted as wearing orange or yellow-orange robes. Today, holy practitioners still wear orange robes.

To the followers of Confucianism, the color orange is associated with transformation. In this spiritual tradition, existence is organized by two opposing yet complementary principles: the active or yang, and the passive or yin. Along these lines, the colors red and yellow — fire and light, sensuality and spirituality — are also seemingly opposed but really working in harmony. Together, these colors make orange.

Christianity

Orange plays a role in Christianity, as well. The color is often associated with strength and endurance. As in Confucianism, the combination of red — or passion — is complemented by the wisdom of yellow, thus creating orange.

Art & Literature

Through the centuries, orange flowers have blossomed in works by well-known artists. Take, for instance, Renoir’s Chrysanthemums series. Painted in the 1880s, these paintings feature a lovely arrangement of mums in various shades of orange, from deep fiery almost red to pale peach.

Gustav Klimt often painted orange flowers, such as 1907’s Baurengarten and Baurengarten sit Sonnenblumen. Then there’s Georgia O’Keefe’s Canna Red and Orange and Oriental Poppies, Van Gogh’s Sunflowers (which the artist wanted to be framed in orange), and Warhol’s Flowers series.

Historical Symbolism

Orange flowers have been associated with a wide diversity of meanings over time, from the bright divinity of the Hindu sun god to the Victorian’s association between lilies and hatred. But regardless of cultural background, the color packs an emotional punch.

Overall, however, orange is primarily associated with positivity. Across cultures, with some exceptions, of course, orange flowers today are often associated with:

• Light, warmth, and the sun
• Abundance and wealth
• Joy and happiness
• Enthusiasm
• Fascination
• Divinity
• Rebirth and renewal
• Hope and positivity
• Congratulations
• Accomplishment
• Energy
• Amusement

Suitable Gifting Occasions

Thanks to its many positive associations, orange flowers are the perfect choice to give in celebratory floral gifts. From happy birthday wishes to congratulations and graduation bouquets, this warm color is a great choice when you wish someone well.

It’s also a good choice when you want to cheer someone up, tell them to “get well soon,” say “thanks for being a friend,” or simply let them know you’re thinking of them.

Seasonal gifting is a perfect time to include orange flowers. In spring, the color signifies the sun, rebirth, and enthusiasm. In the fall, the warmth gives a cozy feel and calls to mind holidays such as Thanksgiving, with its focus on abundance.

Fun Facts About Orange Flowers

Orange flowers stand out in the garden with their vibrant, warm hues that range from soft peach to fiery, intense shades. Here are some fun and interesting facts about orange flowers:

1. Attracts Pollinators: The bright color of orange flowers is excellent for attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
2. Wide Variety: There’s a vast array of flowers that come in orange, including marigolds, zinnias, lilies, and tulips, among many others.
3. Edible Varieties: Some orange flowers, such as nasturtiums and certain marigolds, are edible. They can add a splash of color and a peppery or citrusy flavor to salads, desserts, and culinary dishes.
4. Cultural Significance: In some cultures, orange flowers are associated with sacred and spiritual meanings. For example, in Hinduism, orange marigolds are often used in religious ceremonies and festivals as symbols of the sun and divine grace.
5. Natural Dyes: Historically, orange flowers have been used to create natural dyes for fabrics and textiles.
6. Hybridization: Plant breeders have developed numerous hybrid flowers with orange hues, expanding the range of available shades and forms.
7. Feng Shui: In the practice of Feng Shui, orange flowers are believed to bring positive energy and happiness to a space.

The Final Word

Orange flowers grow in many shapes, sizes, and hues. They also carry a range of symbolic meanings across cultures and times. But one thing is for certain: orange flowers catch the eye and make a statement. When you want to send a message, orange blossoms are always an impactful choice.

Further reading: Discover the meaning and symbolism of pink flowers.